The Wolves speak: Thank you Raul!

The Wolves speak: Thank you Raul!
16 Oct 2015
​Al-Sadd football team players have expressed their thanks and wishes for their former teammate and Spanish footballing legend Raul Gonzalez, who will retire from the game after the end of the current North American Soccer League season in November.

As the legend bids goodbye, it will be the culmination of a wonderful chapter in football history, one which saw him shine for Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Al-Sadd and finally New York Cosmos.

Raul played 61 games for Al-Sadd from 2012 to 2014, in which he scored 16 goals. He captained the team to the Qatar Stars League title and the Emir Cup.

Here is what some of the Wolves had to say about Raul:

Hassan al-Haydos: Football will be the biggest loser with the retirement of Raul

Al-Sadd attacker Hassan al-Haydos first wished Raul the best of luck in his future endeavours, saying that the Spaniard was one of the legends of the game alongside who he was honoured to play two seasons, winning the QSL and the Emir Cup.

He said: “It was a successful career by all means with all the teams that he has played for. Football will surely be the biggest loser with his retirement.”

Khalfan Ibrahim: Great player; I am sure of success in every field

Star midfielder Khalfan Ibrahim agreed with what al-Haydos said, while pointing out that Raul was a great addition to the Al-Sadd during the two years he was at the club. He led the team to titles and also helped with his experience, especially in a team filled with youngsters.

Khalfan added: “Raul is a great player; he left a huge void. I wish him the best for his future after retirement. I am sure of his success in any field that he chooses.”
Talal al-Baloushi: Raul was among the cleverest and the most dangerous players I played with

Talal al-Baloushi, one of the leaders of the team, said that he valued the time he spent alongside Raul at Al-Sadd, during which the club benefited a lot in different ways. Raul was a leader on the pitch who had a big role to play in the success of the team during the period.

Talal said: “Raul was among the cleverest and the most dangerous players I played with throughout my career. I wish him the best in the field he chooses to engage in after retirement.”

Ibrahim Majid: Raul is my favourite striker; an unbelievable player

Ibrahim Majid expressed his confidence that Raul had chosen the right time to stop playing his favourite game. He also said that Raul was his all-time favourite striker.

The defender said: “Raul helped us a lot during the time we spent together at the club, especially with the experience he gained from his time with Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. He is an unbelievable player. I was also personally very happy to assist his last goal for Al-Sadd in the final of the Emir Cup against Al-Sailiya in 2013/14.”